Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had many wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.

Yet, a only four weeks later, he has become the most talked-about attacker in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games.

His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term.

A Remarkable Revival

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages.

Yet, the statistics underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive.

His six-game scoring run sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches.

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two individual five-match streaks.

And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.

The Reason for the Scoring Form?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up aptly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team.

Pundits point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal."

"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result."

His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

World Cup Question

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

Pundits think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level.

"He looks as fit as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place."

Intense Competition

However, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive two goals versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated.

"He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select.

"I think it might depend on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."